As the world marks International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) joins Uganda’s national theme, “Scaling up investment to accelerate access to justice for all women and girls in Uganda.” The message echoes the global theme of “Give to Gain”, urging governments, institutions and communities to channel funding, policy reform and political will into swift, safe and fair justice for women and girls.
A Strong Legal Foundation, Yet Persistent Gaps
Uganda has enacted a robust legal framework: the Domestic Violence Act (2010), the Anti‑Female Genital Mutilation Act (2010), the National Policy on the Elimination of GBV (2016, revised 2019) and the Succession (Amendment) Act (2022) — all signaling genuine commitment. By 2024 the country achieved 77.8 % compliance with SDG gender‑equality legal‑framework indicators and full compliance with SDG 5.C.1 on gender‑responsive public financial management — a commendable milestone. However, the existence of a legal framework does not necessarily translate into justice being delivered in practice.
The Harsh Reality of Gender‑Based Violence
The 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey revealed alarming levels of violence against women: nearly one in four have suffered physical abuse, almost half of ever‑married women report spousal violence, and more than one in ten have experienced sexual violence. These figures point to a deep crisis. The Uganda Police Annual Crime Report of 2024 confirms the scale, showing that over three‑quarters of domestic violence victims are women and girls.
Despite this, the justice system is failing survivors. A 2025 policy brief by the Economic Policy Research Centre highlights how few victims receives meaningful support. Only about a third of survivors seek help, while more than half remain silent. Among those who experience sexual violence, seven in ten never report it, and only a small fraction reaches out for assistance. Survivors of physical violence fare little better, with fewer than three in ten seeking help.
When survivors do look for support, police involvement is minimal. Just 24% of physical violence cases are reported to law enforcement, and reporting rates for sexual violence are even lower. Of the cases that reach the police, barely a quarter are investigated and taken to court, and fewer than 5% end in conviction. Legal aid is almost nonexistent, reaching only 1% of incidents.
Economic Consequences of Inaction
Violence against women and children is not only a human tragedy but also a heavy economic burden. A recent study on the cost of inaction for GBV in Uganda estimates that it drains UGX 3.76 trillion from the economy—about 2.31% of the country’s GDP in 2024. To put this in perspective, that figure is nearly 70% of what the Government of Uganda allocated to health and education in the 2024/25 financial year (UGX 5.443 trillion). Most of this cost is carried by households themselves. Families bear 92% of the financial impact, covering medical expenses, lost income, and the long‑term consequences of disrupted lives. Violence dampens the economy across multiple productive sectors, particularly in sectors where women form a large share of the workforce. The study s shows that directing public funds to prevention and justice would convert private losses into national economic gains, offering a compelling business case for the “Give to Gain” theme.
Interlocking Injustices: Labour Exclusion and Child Marriage
Gender‑based violence does not exist in isolation. According to the 2024 population and housing census, total labour‑force participation of women 15 years and above lags at 39 %, compared with 49 % for men. On the other hand, women are disproportionately represented among unpaid family workers at 29.7% compared to only 18.8 % for men. These disparities limit women’s capacity to afford legal services or pursue claims.
Child marriage remains widespread: 33 % of women aged 20‑24 were married before age 18, and 6 % before age 15, shortening education, earnings and civic voice.
The Cost of Silence
The cumulative impact of unchecked violence, labour exclusion and early marriage erodes trust in institutions, normalises impunity and deprives the nation of the full contribution of half its population.
Where do we go from here
EPRC proposes four priority actions to turn the “Give to Gain” vision into reality:
Investments Requirements
Create a dedicated, ring‑fenced legal‑aid fund prioritising unemployed women, informal‑sector workers and girls at risk of early marriage, so cost never silences a case.
Invest in community‑based behaviour‑change programmes through local councils, schools and religious institutions, confronting harmful norms at their source rather than only at the courtroom door.
Reforms
Fast‑track specialised GBV courts and deploy additional judicial officers to underserved regions, ensuring perpetrators face timely consequences.
Integrate economic‑empowerment services into GBV response and child‑marriage prevention, linking survivors to childcare support, skills training and pathways to formal employment, thereby enabling them to sustain themselves and pursue justice.
What do we need to do differently
On this International Women’s Day, let us recognise that investing in women’s justice is not merely a social duty—it is a strategic investment in Uganda’s sustainable development and shared prosperity. Scaling up resources, reforming systems and galvanising political will will transform legal rights into lived realities, unlocking the full economic and social potential of women and girls across the nation.
This article was published in the Daily Monitor on March 7, 2026 to mark the International Women’s Day 2026
